Mobile personnel car for ingot pouring operations

ABSTRACT

An enclosed mobile car or vehicle is provided, for enabling ingot mold pouring operations to be conducted while the personnel involved in such operations is virtually completely protected from the intense heat of the molten metal and against injuries or fatalities resulting from the splashing of molten metal during such operations; for transporting necessary materials for use in incorporating additives in the poured metal, and for enabling molten metal of certain types to remain stationary after pouring, for a length of time necessary to cure the metal in the molds. The car is provided with all of the necessary equipment required for such operations, including means for remotely controlling the opening and closing of the ladle rod and stopper, means for storing materials to be added to the poured metal, means for providing oxygen for lance-like devices used for melting and clearing away any metal which has solidified in the ladle stopper-rod hole, means for guarding the car against entrance of molten metal and diverting any such steel which might enter the car to areas outside the car. Other features include rolling doors for sealing the side of the car which is adjacent the pouring area, stairways for entering and leaving the area of the car in which personnel is located during the pouring operations, and which stairways are remote from the side of the car adjacent the pouring area, guards for protecting the car wheel bearing mounts and bearings against splashing of molten metal thereon, means for propelling the car, and means for sweeping debris from the tracks on which the car moves.

United States Patent [1 1 Hutton Feb. 18, 1975 MOBILE PERSONNEL CAR FOR INGOT POURING OPERATIONS [76] Inventor: Leland H. Hutton, 2815 Claver Rd.,

University Heights, Ohio 441 18 [22] Filed: Feb. 7, 1973 [21] Appl. N6; 330,254

52 US. Cl 164/155, 164/3 35, 164/412,

105/422 [51] Int. Cl. B22c 19/04, B22d 41/12, B66c 6/00 [58] Field of Search 164/254, 335, 337, 323,

164/324, 329, 330, 331, 412, 4, l53l56; 266/34 L, 34 LM, 13; 105/394, 282 R, 339, 340, 341, 343, 347, 422; 425/213; 212/13, 14

Primary Examiner-C. W. Lanham Assistant ExaminerD. M. Gurley Attorney, Agent, or Firmlsler & Ornstein [57] ABSTRACT An enclosed mobile car or vehicleis provided, for enabling ingot mold pouring operations to be conducted while the personnel involved in such operations is virtually completely protected from the intense heat of the molten metal and against injuries or fatalities resulting from the splashing of molten metal during such operations; for transporting necessary materials for use in incorporating additives in the poured metal, and for enabling molten metal of certain types to remain stationary after pouring, for a length of time necessary to cure the metal in the molds. The car is provided with all of the necessary equipment required for such operations, including means for remotely controlling the opening and closing of the ladle rod and stopper, means for storing materials to be added to the poured metal, means for providing oxygen for lance-like de vices used for melting and clearing away any metal which has solidified in the ladle stopper-rod hole, means for guarding the car against entrance of molten metal and diverting any such steel which might enter the car to areas outside the car. Other features include rolling doors for sealing the side of the car which is adjacent the pouring area, stairways for entering and leaving the area of the car in which personnel is located during the pouring operations, and which stairways are remote from the side of the car adjacent the pouring area, guards for protecting the car wheel bearing mounts and bearings against splashing of mo]- ten metal thereon, means for propelling the car, and means for sweeping debris from the tracks on which the car moves.

13 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures FATE TEUFEB 1 81975 SHEET 5 OF 8 PATENTEU FEB] 8 I975 SHEET 70F 8 MOBILE PERSONNEL CAR FOR INGOT POURING OPERATIONS This invention relates to a mobile personnel car for use in connection with the pouring of molten metal into ingot molds.

In pouring or teeming molten steel from a ladle into ingot molds, it is customary to mount the ingot molds in longitudinally spaced upright position on a car, which is movable on rails past a stationary pouring platform, which is parallel with the rails.

The car with the upright ingot molds is located in front of and below the stationary pouring platform. An overhead crane, carrying a ladle filled with 'molten steel, is moved into a position above the ingot mold, the ladle being provided at its bottom with an opening which is closed by means ofa stopper rod which can be vertically elevated or withdrawn from the opening to permit the molten steel to pass through the opening into the mold located directly therebelow.

When the ladle opening is aligned with the open top of the mold, a worker known as a pourer, stationed on the platform, connects a hydraulic hose to a connection on the stopper rod elevating mechanism, located on the side of the ladle. The hydraulic hose is connected to a unit known as the Autopour' located on the overhead crane, and the pourer then activates the Autopour and thus elevates the stopper rod, permitting the molten steel in the ladle to fall, in a thin stream, into the mold until the mold is substantially filled after which he closes the ladle opening by means of the Autopour unit. The crane then moves the ladle to a position above the adjacent mold, and the operation is repeated.

The pouring platform is a fixed exposed platform, so that the pourer and other personnel involved in the pouring, are directly exposed not only to the intense heat of the molten steel, but also to the hazards stemming from uncontrolled flow of the molten steel should the stopper rod mechanism fail to close after the ingot mold has been filled, from splashing or flying molten metal caused by said stopper rod failure, and from splashing or flying molten metal which may explode on coming into contact with water which may be lying on the floor of the pouring platform or on the ground in the immediate vicinity of the ingot mold cars below the platform. In some cases, as when the ingot mold is not properly aligned with the ladle opening, the splashing can reach proportions which can cause fatalities.

The present invention has, as its primary object, the provision of means having the capability of increasing utilization of the pouring pit floor area by permitting the filling of ingot molds in areas remote from the stationary pouring platforms, whereby some grades of steel which cannot be moved for several hours after pouring can remain stationary, while the mobile personnel car or pouring platform, which is a feature of the invention, may be moved to another adjacent or remote pouring area 'for further pouring, thus easily and economically doubling the pouring area available in a pouring pit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mo bile personnel car for the pouring floor area of a steel mill, which not only protects the personnel from the intense heat of the molten steel, but from the injuries or fatalities which might result from such molten steel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mo bile personnel carrier of the character described, which has incorporated therein means for facilitating escape from the car of each personnel, in the event that an accident of unusual or catastrophic proportions should occur.

Another object of the invention is to provide a car of the character described, which is provided with all of the equipment necessary for the pouring operations, for maintaining a comfortable temperature level within the car, and for propelling said car along the rails on which it is mounted.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carrier of the character described, which can be readily moved from one area to another within the mill by means of lifting lugs attached to the carrier, and which may be utilized to lift the carrier by chain or cable suspension from an overhead bridge crane.

A further object of the invention is to provide a car of the character described, having means for protecting the drive machinery and allied equipment from the effects of molten steel and/or the intense heat encountered during the pouring operation, as well as means for protecting the wheel-bearing mounts and bearings thereof from such molten steel, and for sweeping any accumulated debris from the rails on which the car moves.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a car of the character described, having means of providing a pouring platform for either side of the car to permit the filling of molds from either side of said car.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a car of the character described, having means for providing electrical power for propulsion of the car from any of several sources, such as a cable reel suspended from an overhead crane, a cable reel recessed in the pouring pit floor, bus-bar electrification similarly recessed in the pouring pit floor area, or from batteries integrally mounted on the car.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a car of the character described, having means of providing propulsion power from an integrally mounted power source of the self-energizing type, such as gasoline motor, diesel motor, or hydraulic unit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a car of the character described, having provision for containing all of the necessary tools and equipment necessary to effect pouring of the steel from the ladle to the molds, as well as for adding ingredients to the steel after pouring, such equipment and materials being always readily available to the pouring personnel, as contrasted to the stationary platform wherein said equipment and materials must be stored at several locations and carried to the point of use.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of the mobile personnel car, as viewed from the right end of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the front or pouring side of the car, as viewed in the direction indicated by the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the rear side of the car, as viewed in the direction indicated by the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2, with a portion broken away to show substructural features;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 55 of FIG. 2, with portions broken away to show certain structural features;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 4, showing details of the car drive;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 2, with portions of the doors broken away to show their construction;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 88 of FIG. 3, with a portion of the door broken away to show its construction, and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing, in somewhat diagrammatic manner, the relative arrangement of the personnel car to the ingot molds and ladle.

Referring more preferably to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9 of the drawings, the personnel car will be seen to comprise a lower unit, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, having a base consisting of longitudinallyspaced I-beams 11, 12, 13 and 14, and transverselyspaced I-beams 15 and 16, which are connected to the ends of the beams 11, 12, 13 and 14 to provide a rigid rectangular floor-supporting structure.

Reinforcement for this structure is provided by means of cross-braces 17, 18, 19 and 20 (FIG. 4).

Supported on this structure is a floor plate 21 (FIG. 4) which is preferably made of steel flooring commonly known as checked" or checkered plate, and which can be laid as separate sections, depending on the placement of equipment in the unit 10.

Welded or otherwise secured to the corners of this floor-supporting structure, are upstanding I-beams 22, 23, 24 and 25, the beams 22 and 23 being interconnected to the beams 24 and 25 respectively by means of bracing members (not shown), the beams 22 and 23 being interconnected by cross-braces 26 and 27 (FIG. 1), and the beams 24 and 25 being interconnected by cross-braces (not shown) similar to the braces 26 and 27.

The floor-supporting structure is further provided adjacent its four corners with hearing frames 28 in which roller bearings 29 (FIG. 6) are mounted, these bearings having journalled therein the ends of the axles 30, to which wheels 31 are keyed or otherwise secured.

The wheels 31 are mounted on tracks 32 for movement of the unit 10 along these tracks.

At this point, it may be pointed out, with particular reference to FIG. 9, that the tracks 32 are parallel with and adjacent to the tracks 33, on which the car 34, which carries the ingot molds 35 are supported.

The car 34, on which the mold 35 is supported, is moved into a stationary position on the tracks 33, at which position the mold is to be filled with molten steel. Above the car 34, and suspended from an overhead moving crane (not shown) is the ladle 36 which carries the molten steel to be poured into the molds. The ladle 36 is conventionally provided with an opening in its bottom, which opening is normally closed by a stopper located inside the ladle and carried by a lever mechanism 37. This mechanism is activated by a mechanism to be presently referred to as the Autopour, for the purpose of permitting the molten steel to pour through the ladle opening into the ingot mold, after which the mold is filled to permit the stopper to automatically close the ladle opening.

One of the axles 30, more specifically, that shown in FIG. 6, and at the righthand portion of FIG. 4, is driven by an electric motor 38, through the intermediary of a motor drive shaft 39, a speed reducer 40, pinion 41, gear 42, and pinion 43, which is keyed to the axle 30. A brake 40a (FIG. 4) is provided for this driving mechanism,-and the pinion 41, gear 42 and pinion 43 are housed or enclosed in a gear case or housing, which protects the gearing from molten steel and ingress of dust and dirt.

The control for the motor 38 will be presently described.

The bearing frames or mounts 28 and bearings 29 are guarded or protected against the effects of splashing steel or other external objects by means of sheet metal members 44, of the cross-sectional contour shown in FIG. 6, these guards being welded or otherwise secured to the lower flanges of the beams 15 and 16.

The unit 10 is also provided with track sweepers 45, which depend from the beams 14 and 15 at points adjacent the outer end of the guards 44, and which serve to sweep any foreign material or other impediments from the rails or tracks 32 during movement of the car.

Supported on the floor plate 21 at one corner of the unit 10, within a cage 21a (FIG. 4) is a plurality of oxygen tanks 46, which are retained within the cage by a chain 47. These tanks are provided at their upper ends with valves 46a, which are connected to a manifold 46b (FIG. 3), through which oxygen may be drawn for lance-like blow pipes, which are conventionally used to melt any steel which accumulates and solidifies in the ladle nozzle, as sometimes occurs.

The side of the unit 10 at which the oxygen tanks 46 are located is exposed, and in order to protect the tanks from sparks, a sliding door 48 is provided, which is shown, in FIGS. 3 and 4, in a retracted position, but which may be moved to the right, as viewed in FIG. 3, to cover the space in which the tanks are located. The manner in which the door 48 is suspended will be presently described. The door 48 is, as shown in FIG. 8, hung for rolling movement along a track 48a.

The unit 10 is further provided with a short stairway 49, up which a person may walk and enter the enclosure provided by the unit 10. This stairway is welded or otherwise secured to the beam 15.

The unit 10 is further provided, at its ends, with stairways 50 and 51, which are used for access to the upper unit of the car to be presently described. These stairways are supported by the beams 22 and 24. The stairway 50 is provided at one side thereof with a handrail 52, while the stairway 51 is provided at one side with a handrail 53.

Since these stairways are of open construction and in an exposed position, they are exposed to sparks and fiying steel particles during the pouring operations. For the purpose of preventing such molten steel from splashing upwardly through the stairways and striking personnel descending the stairways, a plate 54 is supported just below and parallel to each stairway, so that any such molten steel will strike the plate and be diverted onto the floor of the pouring area.

The personnel car also includes an upper unit, which is generally designated by reference numeral 55, and is shown most clearly in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9 of the drawings.

The upper unit comprises a floor-supporting frame consisting of channel beams 56, 57 and 58, and angle beam 59, which are interconnected with each other by means of struts 60 and 61 (FIG. 5), to form a rigid structure, to the upper surface of which a grating 62 is secured, which grating forms, in effect, the actual pouring platform on which the pourer stands during the pouring operations.

The grating or pouring platform 62 of the upper unit 55 is, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 9, extended at the pouring side of the car, and supports a handrail 62a, which serves to guard against the possibility of any personnel falling from the platform during the pouring operations or at any other time.

Secured to the beam 59, and extending longitudinally the entire length of this beam, is a splash guard 63, of the cross-sectional contour shown in FIG. 1, and which serves to prevent molten steel particles from gaining access to the floor grating 62.

The aforesaid floor-supporting frame is supported on the lower unit by means of gusset plates 64, which are welded to the beams 22, 23, 24 and 25, and to the floor supporting frame.

The beam 59 also has welded thereto a splash shield 65 of the cross-sectional contour shown in FIG. 1, and which extends substantially the entire length of the beam, this splash shield serving to divert any molten steel particles which impinge on the shield to an inclined guard panel 66 (FIGS. 1 and 2), which extends across the space enclosed by the lower unit 10. This guard panel 66 is connected at its upper end to a guard panel 67, which underlies the grating 62 and is designed to catch any molten steel particles which might fall through the grating. The panel 66 is also designed to catch any molten steel particles which fall through the grating 62, such particles then falling by gravity down the panel 66. The guard panel 66 is connected at its lower end to an additional guard panel 68, which partially encloses the pouring side of the lower unit 10.

The floor beam 58 also supports a trough 69 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5), designed to receive the lance-like blow pipes to which reference has previously been made, when such blow pipes are not in use.

Secured to the beams 56 and 67 57 the floor structure of the upper unit 55 are upstanding I-I-beams 70 and 71 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5), which support a framework for the upper unit, comprising a cross-beam 72, roof beams 73 and 74, and front and rear wall beams 75 and 76.

The beams 73 support a front roof panel 77, and the beams 74 support a rear roof panel (not shown), these panels extending across the upper unit 55 to form a roof for the unit.

Secured to the beams 75 is an angle member 78, which supports a baffle member 79, which extends downwardly to the guard 63, and closes off the pouring side of the upper unit 55 at an area in which the various controls are located, so as to protect these controls as well as the operating personnel behind the member 79 from any splashing steel. A plate 80, just below the baffle member 79 extends entirely across the pouring side of the unit 55, to protect the floor area behind the pouring side, as well as a guide for the sliding doors to be now described.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 5, 7 and 8, three sliding doors 81, 82 and 83 are provided, which have a combined width equivalent to the width of the open front of the unit 55, less the width of the baffle member 79.

These doors are hung for rolling movement on tracks 84 and 85 (see FIG. 7), the doors 81 and 83 being hung on the track 84, and the door 82 on the track 85.

Each of the doors 81, 82 and 83 is provided with a rectangular viewing slot or area 86, which is closed at the front byv a fiberglass screen 87..

These doors are normally closed, as in FIG. 2, to protect thepersonnel within the upper unit 55, but can be moved to expose a selected area of the pouring side of the unit, so as to permit personnel and equipment to move into and out of the unit, when desired.

The Autopour unit or mechanism, generally designated by reference numeral 88 in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, and to which reference has previously been made, and which is used for activating the stopper of the ladle 36, is a unit designed by Republic Steel Corporation.

The operation of this autopour unit 88 is controlled by a control 89 (FIGS. 1 and 2) within the upper unit 55, and the drive for the motor 38 is controlled by a control 90 (FIGS. 1 and 2), also located within the upper unit 55.

Power for the units 88 and car drive is supplied by a power cable 91, through a wiring control box 92.

The ends of the upper unit 55 of the car are closed, with the exception of openings 93 at the top of the stairways 50 and 51, through which openings personnel may enter and leave the unit 55.

Canopies 94 are provided above the entrances to the openings 93, to protect personnel entering and leaving the unit 55.

The unit 55 is also provided with a fan 95 (FIGS. 1 and 3), for providing a cooled atmosphere for the personnel within the unit. Alternatively, the car may be completely enclosed and air conditioned for personnel protection.

The car is further provided at each end with warning or caution lights 96 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 9) for cautioning persons on the pouring floor area of the approach of the moving car in both directions of its movement. As an additional precaution, horns 97 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 9) may also be provided for this purpose.

Lifting lugs 98 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 9) are provided for enabling the car to be moved from one area to another within the mill by means of chains or cable suspension from an overhead bridge crane.

Reference numeral 99 (FIG. 1) designates an alternative power supply for propulsion; of the car, such as an enclosed bus bar, cable reel, or power track.

Although the use and operation of the car for ingot pouring operations has been briefly described hereinbefore, a short review of these may be again described, particularly with reference to the safety features of the car.

When an ingot mold is filled, and the ladle is moved into position for filling the next mold, the mobile personnel car is moved to a position from which the Auto pour unit can be activated by the pourer through the control 89 to elevate the ladle stopper and permit the molten steel to be poured into the mold.

At this time, all of the doors 8]., 82 and 83 are in closed position, as is the door 48, so that the personnel and equipment within the car are effectively protected from the splash of molten steel. At the same time, the

pourer and other personnel within the car view the pouring operations through the screens 87, and make any necessary adjustment in the position of the car.

In the event that the Autopour hydraulic activator does not function, the pourer can elevate the stopper rod mechanically, raising the stopper rod mechanism. At such time, the pourer may open the doors of the car to activate the stopper rod mechanism.

The doors 81, 82 and 83, and splash shield 63, are effective to prevent any molten steel from entering the car, but should any such steel enter the car, it will drop through the grating 62 and onto the guard panels 67 and 66 and be diverted harmlessly to the pouring floor area adjacent the car.

In the event of an emergency, requiring that the personnel leave the car, such personnel can quickly leave through the openings 93 and run down the stairways 50 and 51, in a direction away from the pouring operations.

It is also desirable that all of the walls and doors of the car be insulated, and that both the lower and upper units of the car be properly illuminated by means of appropriately located lights.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts thereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

I. The combination with a car having ingot molds to be filled from a ladle containing molten metal, said car being movable on rails, a mobile personnel car from which the pouring of metal into the molds is controlled, said personnel car being movable on rails independent of said first-named rails in a direction parallel with said first-named rails, said personnel car comprising a lower unit and an upper unit, each having a platform, said upper unit having a side at least partially closed and disposed adjacent said ingot molds and having partially closed ends extending from said side, said ends having openings therein adjacent said side for egress of personnel from the upper unit, said lower unit having stairways mounted at its ends and leading from said openings to points immediately rearwardly of said personnel car and adjacent ground level, said stairways disposed in planes substantially parallel with the ends of said lower unit and inclined in a direction away from said ingot molds, said stairways having guard plates pro-.

vided therebelow for preventing molten metal from splashing upward therethrough.

2. In combination with a car having ingot molds to be filled from a ladle containing molten metal, said car being movable on rails, a mobile personnel car from which the pouring of the metal into the molds is controlled, said personnel car being movable on rails independent of said first-named rails in a direction parallel with said first-named rails, said personnel car including a housing unit supported on said second-named rails and comprising a floor disposed at a level substantially coplanar with the upper ends of said ingot molds, a pouring side facing the area above said ingot molds, a rear side, ends interconnecting said sides and provided with openings for ingress to and egress from the space enclosed by said sides and ends, and a roof, said pouring side having a plurality of sliding doors for protecting personnel within said housing during the pouring operation, said doors being movable to expose a se lected area of the pouring side when desired said floor being provided with multiple openings for permitting any molten metal which enters the housing to fall through said floor openings.

3. The combination, as defined in claim 2, including a splash guard disposed adjacent the lower portion of the pouring side of said housing forwardly of said sliding doors and adapted to prevent molten metal particles from gaining access to said floor.

4. The combination, as defined in claim 3, wherein *said floor extends forwardly of said sliding doors a substantial distance to provide a platform for personnel within said housing.

5. The combination, as defined in claim 4, wherein a handrail is provided at the front and ends of said platform for preventing personnel from falling from the platform.

6. The combination, as defined in claim 5, wherein said doors are provided with areas through which the pouring operations may be viewed by personnel within the housing unit, when the doors are closed.

7. A mobile personnel car for use during ingot mold filling operations, said car comprising a lower unit and an upper unit, each having a platform, said lower and upper units each having a front side disposed adjacent the ingot molds, said upper unit having protected ends having openings therein for egress of personnel from the upper unit, said lower unit having opposed ends with stairways mounted thereat and leading from said openings to points rearwardly of said car and adjacent ground level, said stairways disposed in planes substantially parallel with the ends of said lower unit and inclined in a direction away from said ingot molds, closure means for selectively closing and opening the front side of the upper unit, guard panel means closing the front side of the lower unit, guard plates provided below and parallel with said stairways for preventing molten metal from splashing upwardly through said stairways.

8. A mobile personnel car for use during ingot mold filling operations, said car comprising a floor supported at a level substantially coplanar with the upper ends of ingot molds, a pouring side facing the area above the ingot molds, ends extending from said side and provided with openings for ingress to and egress from the space enclosed by said side and ends, and a roof, said side having a plurality of sliding doors for protecting personnel within said car during mold filling operations, said doors being movable to expose selected areas of said side, said floor being provided with multiple openings for permitting any molten metal which enters the car to fall through said floor openings.

9. A car, as defined in claim 8, including a splash guard disposed adjacent the lower portion of said side forwardly of said sliding doors, and adapted to prevent molten metal particles from gaining access to said floor.

10. A car, as defined in claim 9, wherein said floor extends forwardly of said sliding doors a substantial distance to provide a platform for personnel within said car.

11. A car, as defined in claim 10, wherein a handrail is provided at the front and ends of said platform for preventing personnel from falling from the platform.

12. A car, as defined in claim 11, wherein said doors are provided with areas through which the mold filling operations may be viewed by personnel within the car, when the doors are closed.

13. A mobile personnel car for use during ingot mold filling operations, said car comprising an elevated floor, a pouring side facing the ingot molds, ends extending from said side and provided with openings for ingress to and egress from the space enclosed by said side and ends, and a roof, said side having closure means for 

1. The combiNation with a car having ingot molds to be filled from a ladle containing molten metal, said car being movable on rails, a mobile personnel car from which the pouring of metal into the molds is controlled, said personnel car being movable on rails independent of said first-named rails in a direction parallel with said first-named rails, said personnel car comprising a lower unit and an upper unit, each having a platform, said upper unit having a side at least partially closed and disposed adjacent said ingot molds and having partially closed ends extending from said side, said ends having openings therein adjacent said side for egress of personnel from the upper unit, said lower unit having stairways mounted at its ends and leading from said openings to points immediately rearwardly of said personnel car and adjacent ground level, said stairways disposed in planes substantially parallel with the ends of said lower unit and inclined in a direction away from said ingot molds, said stairways having guard plates provided therebelow for preventing molten metal from splashing upward therethrough.
 2. In combination with a car having ingot molds to be filled from a ladle containing molten metal, said car being movable on rails, a mobile personnel car from which the pouring of the metal into the molds is controlled, said personnel car being movable on rails independent of said first-named rails in a direction parallel with said first-named rails, said personnel car including a housing unit supported on said second-named rails and comprising a floor disposed at a level substantially coplanar with the upper ends of said ingot molds, a pouring side facing the area above said ingot molds, a rear side, ends interconnecting said sides and provided with openings for ingress to and egress from the space enclosed by said sides and ends, and a roof, said pouring side having a plurality of sliding doors for protecting personnel within said housing during the pouring operation, said doors being movable to expose a selected area of the pouring side when desired said floor being provided with multiple openings for permitting any molten metal which enters the housing to fall through said floor openings.
 3. The combination, as defined in claim 2, including a splash guard disposed adjacent the lower portion of the pouring side of said housing forwardly of said sliding doors and adapted to prevent molten metal particles from gaining access to said floor.
 4. The combination, as defined in claim 3, wherein said floor extends forwardly of said sliding doors a substantial distance to provide a platform for personnel within said housing.
 5. The combination, as defined in claim 4, wherein a handrail is provided at the front and ends of said platform for preventing personnel from falling from the platform.
 6. The combination, as defined in claim 5, wherein said doors are provided with areas through which the pouring operations may be viewed by personnel within the housing unit, when the doors are closed.
 7. A mobile personnel car for use during ingot mold filling operations, said car comprising a lower unit and an upper unit, each having a platform, said lower and upper units each having a front side disposed adjacent the ingot molds, said upper unit having protected ends having openings therein for egress of personnel from the upper unit, said lower unit having opposed ends with stairways mounted thereat and leading from said openings to points rearwardly of said car and adjacent ground level, said stairways disposed in planes substantially parallel with the ends of said lower unit and inclined in a direction away from said ingot molds, closure means for selectively closing and opening the front side of the upper unit, guard panel means closing the front side of the lower unit, guard plates provided below and parallel with said stairways for preventing molten metal from splashing upwardly through said stairways.
 8. A mobile personnel car for use during ingot Mold filling operations, said car comprising a floor supported at a level substantially coplanar with the upper ends of ingot molds, a pouring side facing the area above the ingot molds, ends extending from said side and provided with openings for ingress to and egress from the space enclosed by said side and ends, and a roof, said side having a plurality of sliding doors for protecting personnel within said car during mold filling operations, said doors being movable to expose selected areas of said side, said floor being provided with multiple openings for permitting any molten metal which enters the car to fall through said floor openings.
 9. A car, as defined in claim 8, including a splash guard disposed adjacent the lower portion of said side forwardly of said sliding doors, and adapted to prevent molten metal particles from gaining access to said floor.
 10. A car, as defined in claim 9, wherein said floor extends forwardly of said sliding doors a substantial distance to provide a platform for personnel within said car.
 11. A car, as defined in claim 10, wherein a handrail is provided at the front and ends of said platform for preventing personnel from falling from the platform.
 12. A car, as defined in claim 11, wherein said doors are provided with areas through which the mold filling operations may be viewed by personnel within the car, when the doors are closed.
 13. A mobile personnel car for use during ingot mold filling operations, said car comprising an elevated floor, a pouring side facing the ingot molds, ends extending from said side and provided with openings for ingress to and egress from the space enclosed by said side and ends, and a roof, said side having closure means for protecting personnel within said car during mold filling operations, said closure means being movable to expose selected areas of said side, said floor being provided with multiple openings for permitting any molten metal which enters the car to fall through said floor openings. 